The Regional District of Nanaimo's new waste diversion bylaw that would require businesses, multi-family dwellings and institutions to have separate bins for different types of solid waste and recyclable material will take effect in January 2025.
The Mandatory Waste Source Separation (MWSS) bylaw will require all waste generators to have designated bins for garbage, recycling and organics. While the bylaw does not come into effect until early 2025, work is starting now to help people prepare for this change.
“The Mandatory Waste Source Separation bylaw is an important next step for the Regional District of Nanaimo’s goal of achieving 90 per cent waste diversion from the landfill,” said Nanaimo director Ben Geselbracht, who is the chair Solid Waste Select Committee. “Extending the three-stream waste diversion program to all properties in the RDN will help bridge the gap between the current 67 per cent diversion rate and our goal.”
The MWSS bylaw, like the program already in place for single-family residences, will apply to all properties across the RDN which includes Electoral Areas A, B, C, E, F, G and H, the City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach. These properties will need to implement an organics and recycling diversion program. It will be the responsibility of property owners and managers to coordinate the collection and proper management of separated waste with their waste collection service provider.
Properties impacted by the Waste Source Separation bylaw include: Island Health facilities/medical clinics; school districts and Vancouver Island University; municipal facilities; hotels, motels and other similar accommodations; restaurants and other food service businesses; office buildings; condominiums and apartments.
The City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach earlier this year supported the RDN's separation bylaw.
Community engagement, including public meetings, presentations and informational mailouts, is planned for the fall. For more information and to submit questions to the project team, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/waste-separation. Updates will be posted as available.
— NEWS Staff
